YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 135i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 BMW 135i has a complaint index of 83, the second-worst of 7 model years, with 27 complaints and 6 recalls. Engine problems (41% of complaints) and electrical wiring issues dominate, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other 135i years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
83/100
#2 of 7 135i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
27
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2011 BMW 135i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine11 (41%)
  2. Electrical System7 (26%)
  3. Airbags6 (22%)
  4. Fuel System4 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain4 (15%)
  6. Other1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine hesitates for one to three seconds when the gas pedal is pressed, especially at low speeds around 5 to 10 mph, creating a dangerous delay when merging or crossing traffic.
  • Some drivers report the car briefly cuts fuel delivery for about two seconds during hard acceleration, causing the car to slow instead of speed up in traffic.
  • Blower motor wiring in the dashboard overheats and can corrode or catch fire while the fan runs on low speed.
  • A water pump failure led to engine overheating and loss of power at highway speed around 90,000 miles.
  • Passenger airbag sensor light falsely indicates the airbag is off even when an adult occupies the seat.
  • Owners with Takata airbag recalls report long delays getting replacement parts and repairs completed at dealers.
2011 BMW 135i complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2012Nov 2013Oct 2015Apr 2017Jul 2018Oct 2019Jul 2021Jan 2024
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2012 to Mar 2026; peak Jul 2018 (3).

2011 BMW 135i recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.

  3. NHTSA 17V067000Feb 2, 2017Transmission & Powertrain8,752 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:constant velocity joint

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

    Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 6 recalls for the 2011 BMW 135i →

2011 BMW 135i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,825
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other 135i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Caution6729420
2010Caution5015420
2011Avoid8327621
2012Good3319621
2013Best1712221

All BMW 135i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 BMW 135i reliable?
Among 135i model years, 2011 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 and is rated Avoid. Engine complaints make up 41% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
What are the main problems with the 2011 BMW 135i?
NHTSA complaints show engine issues (41% of complaints), electrical system problems including wiring that overheats (26%), and airbag sensor and Takata recall issues (22%).
Does the 2011 BMW 135i have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2011 135i covering airbags, electrical wiring, engine VANOS bolts, and a rear driveshaft CV joint, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2011 135i compare to other years?
The 2011 135i has a complaint index of 83, worse than 2012 (33, Good) and 2013 (17, Best), but better than 2008 (100, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 BMW 135i?
EPA rates the 2011 135i at 21 mpg combined (18.5 city, 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,825.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.